Main Content
Syllabus
COMM 100N: The Mass Media and Society
COMM 100N The Mass Media and Society (3 credits): Explores mass communications in the United States: organization, role, content, and effects of newspapers, magazines, television, radio, books, and films.
Overview
The Mass Media and Society is an overview of the interaction between mass media and society. By drawing from selected topics, the course pays particular attention to the social influences (e.g., economics, politics, technology, law and culture) that shape media messages. Among others, the course examines the nature of media controllers as well as the character of "users" and "consumers" of media products. By so doing, students are informed about the overall structure and scope of the mass media and led to understand the power and influences associated with media messages and practices. By the end of the semester, each student should have a better understanding of the dynamic nature of the mass media in an information society.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the different functions of the mass media
- Describe the process and theory of mass communication
- Explain the basic concepts relevant to the various media forms
- Demonstrate an awareness of the media as social, political and cultural forces
- List the formal and informal controls on the mass media
- Explain current trends and changes in the mass media including those influenced by new technologies
- Explain the practices and processes of media support systems/industries
- Discuss varied issues including those ethical concerns pertinent to media and the public
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
For this course we recommend the minimum World Campus technical requirements listed below:
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Requirements
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are critical in providing the major content material for each lesson. They serve as the basis for completion of assignments and one of the sources of answers that you may provide in your quizzes and writing assignments. Students are encouraged to develop the habit of writing while reading. i.e., trap the mind’s engagement with the reading materials before they disappear.
Reaction Reports Discussion Forum (10 points – best 10 out of 11)
Each student must write a weekly Reaction Reports to the text that should be at least 250 words in length. Reaction Reports are a way for you to process information gathered in the text readings and through personal experiences with mass media. In addition to posting your own reactions to the content, you are also required to read the reactions of your fellow classmates and respond to at least 2 classmates’ postings. Initial Reaction Reports must be submitted by Wednesday each week to allow everyone the opportunity to read and respond to each other’s Reaction Reports. Your initial Reaction Report post is worth up to 6 points. Each response to a classmate's posting is worth up to 2 points, for a total of 4 points. Reaction Reports forums are found in 11 lessons in COMM 100N; however, only 10 count toward your final grade. The Reaction Report forums contribute to 20% of your final grade. Refer to the assignment rubric for scoring guidelines.
'Consider This' Discussion Forum (10 points – best 10 out of 11)
“Consider This” readings represent supplemental material to the text based on academic exposure to the subject matter and personal experiences with the mass media in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. The “Consider This” reading provides additional dimensions to the subject matter that may not be in the assigned text reading but that is of added value to your understanding of mass media. In response to the “Consider This” readings, each student must write weekly reaction. Initial “Consider This” postings should be approximately 150 words in length. In addition to posting your own reactions to the content, you are also required to read the postings of your fellow classmates and respond to at least 2 classmates. Initial “Consider This” posts must be submitted by Wednesday to allow everyone the opportunity to read and respond to each other’s posting. Your initial “Consider This” post is worth up to 6 points. Each response to a classmate's posting is worth up to 2 points, for a total of 4 points. “Consider This” forums are in 11 lessons in COMM 100N; however, only 10 count toward your final grade. The “Consider This” forums contribute to 20% of your final grade. Refer to the assignment rubric for scoring guidelines.
Group Writing Assignments
There are two group writing assignments in COMM 100N, and two separate weeks have been dedicated to completing these exercises. The requisite activities will require concentrated time to coordinate and allow you to appraise the content covered during the preceding weeks; to process the authors, your own, and others' perspectives. The writing assignments are worth 65 points each and contribute 25% of your final grade.
You will be assigned to work in groups of 3. In your assigned group, you will compose a 2–3-page paper on a given topic. Your paper should be double-spaced, use a Times New Roman 12-point font, and 1" margins. All works referenced in your essay should be cited using APA format. Photos or tables may be included in your essay, but they do not count toward your paper's overall length. Be sure to follow the writing assignment instructions closely as your essay will be graded on the level of content in your paper; the development of your main points, including evidence of group conversations, which may underscore points of agreement and/or disagreement; and the grammar and mechanics in your paper. Refer to the assignment rubric for scoring guidelines.
All group members are expected to participate actively in the ideation, writing, and editing process. Please schedule a time to discuss any issues you may have with your assignment and/or ideas with your professor at least one week prior to submission. Finally, there is a possibility you may have errant members in your group. In that case, please inform the professor about the member, and wait for further instruction.
Peer Evaluations
For each group assignment you will complete a peer evaluation of each group member. Individual grades will reflect the results of the peer evaluations.
Quizzes (20 points each)
There are four quizzes in COMM 100N. Each is worth 20 points and contributes to 15% of your final grade. Be sure to follow quiz instructions closely.
Final Exam (100 points)
The comprehensive final exam in COMM 100N is worth 100 points and contributes to 20% of your final grade. Be sure to follow exam instructions closely.
Study Suggestions
You must complete the text and “Consider This” readings. Then, submit your reactions to the text and “Consider This” readings in Canvas. After you have reviewed your classmates’ posts, compose your responses to the forums for that lesson. Then complete any other activities required for that lesson.
You should begin each lesson by reviewing the objectives and completing the assigned text and “Consider This” readings as thoroughly as possible. Review the material you have learned. Finally, be sure to respond to at least two classmates’ Reaction Reports and “Consider This” forum postings.
You should completely finish one lesson before proceeding to the next. You are required to complete this course within one semester.
Assessments
COMM 100N assessments include the following:
| Activity | Points | Total Points | % of Grade | Lesson(s) in which activity occurs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reaction Report Discussion Forums (Best 10 out of 11) | 10 @ 10 points | 100 | 20 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| “Consider This” Discussion Forums (Best 10 out of 11) | 10 @ 10 points | 100 | 20 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Group Writing Assignments | 2 @ 65 points | 130 | 25 | 3, 9 |
| Quizzes | 4 @ 20 points | 80 | 15 | 3, 5, 9, 11 |
| Final Exam | 100 | 100 | 20 | 15 |
| Total | 510 | 100% |
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be based on the assessments and will conform to the following grading scale.
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 92–100% |
| A- | 90–91.99% |
| B+ | 88–89.99% |
| B | 82–87.99% |
| B- | 80–81.99% |
| C+ | 78–79.99% |
| C | 70–77.99% |
| D | 60–69.99% |
| F | Below 60% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Policies
- The course assigned readings and syllabus are all subject to periodic revision as the professor may deem fit.
- Late work will be accepted for half credit unless the instructor has been notified and agreed to accept the work late. Late work will be accepted up until the next quiz, after which it will no longer accepted for credit.
- If you are unable to complete this course because of unforeseen circumstances, you have the option of requesting a deferred grade from the instructor. For more information, please see Deferred Grades on the World Campus Student Policies Web Site.
- Academic Integrity is the pursuit of scholarly and creative activity in an open, honest and responsible manner, free from fraud and deception, and is an educational objective of the College of Communications and of the university. Cheating, including plagiarism, falsification of research data, using the same assignment for more than one class, turning in someone else's work, or possibly allowing others to copy your work, will result in academic penalties at the discretion of the instructor, and may result in the grade of "XF" (failed for academic dishonesty being put on your permanent transcript, in serious cases it could also result in suspension or dismissal from the university).
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
| Readings: |
|
|---|---|
| Assignments: |
|
| Readings: |
|
|---|---|
| Assignments: |
|
| Readings: |
|
|---|---|
| Assignments: |
|
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Counseling and Psychological Services
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
-
Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
-
For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Report Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.